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Another Manpreet aide returns to SAD fold
Standing crop inundated as Sutlej overflows
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Sekhon visits flood-prone villages
The wonder that was Bathinda’s Gobindgarh Fort
Dairy farmers oppose new law on food safety
A goods train loaded with rice derailed today near at the yard of the Bathinda railway station. Three bogies of the train got tilted while the wheels of the fourth slipped off the track.
Row over electrocution deaths in Mansa village
A 22-year-old resident of Kullerian village near Bareta died when he reportedly came in contact with live electric wires of 11000 voltage on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as Sonu, the eldest of the three siblings. He went upstairs to plug the leakage during the rains and came in contact with the live wire passing over the roof, said the villagers.
Former MP Mand injured in road mishap
Cong MLA gives MC one-week time
Cheques given to girls for higher studies
To provide equal opportunities to the youth from economically weaker sections for higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) sponsored the Equal Opportunity Centre at Gopi Chand Arya Mahila College here.
Freedom fighter remembered
Man gets life term for killing wife
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Another Manpreet aide returns to SAD fold
Moga, August 17 However, efforts to rope in the sitting SGPC member Sukhjeet Singh Kaka of village Lohgarh in the party mainstream has for the time being failed as the proposed meeting between Kaka and Sukhbir could not take place. It was scheduled to take place at the residence of Dr KS Gill, former president of the local body at Moga, today. Dr Gill was out of town. Therefore, the meeting with Kaka was postponed by the local leadership of the party, revealed the party sources. Kaka had filed his nomination papers for the SGPC polls as an independent candidate after the party high command cancelled his ticket at the last moment. He has already started campaigning for the elections. After Nidharak returned to the ruling party, Sukhbir claimed that the PPP had suffered a major setback in Malwa and appealed to all the original cadres to return to the parent party fold rising above personal and factional feuds. Welcoming Brar in the party, Sukhbir lashed out at the Congress for using proxy parties to fight the SGPC polls. He claimed the electorate was wise enough to see the sinister designs of the Congress that always tried to divide the Sikhs. He said no true Sikh would vote for the Congress party or factions supported by the Congress in any elections as the party was responsible for the cold blooded massacre of thousands of Sikhs in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Sukhbir said all the party workers should stand united at the time of the SGPC and the ensuing Vidhan Sabha polls to decimate the Congress from the electoral scene. He further appealed that those workers who had left the party due to personal, factional or egoistic feuds should return to the SAD to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. Political observers said Nidharak Brar joining back the SAD would put a ‘psychological pressure’ on Manpreet Badal, former Finance Minister and president of the PPP after many of his close associates left the new party levelling serious allegations of nepotism against him. On the other hand, Sukhi Sandhu, a close associate of Manpreet Badal in Canada, where the PPP leader is on a tour these days, while talking to The Tribune, claimed that the going away of Brar would not matter much to the PPP as he had no mass following in the area. |
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Standing crop inundated as Sutlej overflows
Fazilka, August 17 He added that the administration has cautioned the villagers to be vigilant as there is an imminent threat. With the increase in water level, the standing crops in five villages have been adversely affected. The standing crop of paddy and cotton on 600 acres of land at village Mohar Jamsher, 200 acres of land at village Hasta Kalan, 100 acres of land at village Walleshah Hithar and some parts of village Kanwawali Pattan, was submerged under water. The villages of Ghurka, Jhangar Bhaini, Retewali Bhaini and Dona Nanka are also under the threat of water following flood-like situation. The temporary bridge constructed by the villagers of Mohar Jamsher was washed away last month due to the increased water level. In view of the grave situation, the administration had removed the floating bridge also a fortnight ago which connects the village to the main land. “All the links have been snapped from the main land. We have been commuting through a single boat provided by the civil administration, which is insufficient to ferry a population of 800 villagers,” rued Kulwant Singh, the Sarpanch of village Mohar Jamsher. He demanded that one more boat and a rover should be provided. “We have started storing green fodder for our animals as a precautionary measure even when the situation has not worsened to an extent that we leave the village,” said Harbans Lal of Walleshah Uttar. Notably, village Mohar Jamsher gets devastated during the monsoon every year. During a visit to Kanwalai Pattan, Fazilka ADC Charandev Singh Mann was seen supervising the work of strengthening the banks of Sutlej creek. “There are two weak points on Kanwali Pattan which need to be strengthened,” informed Mann.
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Concern over increase in water level
Ferozepur, August 17 Sanjeev Gupta, Executive Engineer, Golewala Drainage Division, said the water level downstream of Harike was likely to go up to 60000 cusecs following release of water in the Sutlej and Beas, which would reach Harike on Thursday. Gupta said the water level at Hussainiwala headwork was recorded as 33182 cusecs upstream and 32682 cusecs downstream in the morning, which was under control. He further said the situation would be clear by tomorrow. Earlier, alarmed over the increase in water level in both the Sutlej and Beas rivers, Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon along with a battery of officials from the district administration and Drainage Department visited the Harike headworks to take stock of the situation. Sekhon also inspected the condition of the Dhussi bandh and instructed the officials to strengthen the embankments besides the studs and spurs at all vulnerable points. He also visited the villages along the Indo-Pakistan border which are considered prone to floods. These villages included Rukneshahwala, Gatta Badshah, Basti Ramlal, Chowki Mohammadiwali and Fatehgarh Sabran. Meanwhile, DPS Kharbanda (ADC) today held a meeting with the officials from Revenue, Irrigation, Drainage, and Food and Supplies Department. He instructed the officials to be ready to meet any kind of situation in case of rise in water level in both the rivers. The ADC instructed the officials not to leave the station without DC’s permission. He also asked the revenue officials to be in touch with the Sarpanches and residents of all vulnerable villages along the
Sutlej. |
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The wonder that was Bathinda’s Gobindgarh Fort
Bathinda, August 17 In dire need of immediate funds for complete restoration of this magnificent structure, the fort has remained the epicentre of inhabitation in the city. It has always been restored in phases. While the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) mended its one wall, another collapsed. Such is the state of affairs that the portion of wall in the fort that collapsed an year ago during the monsoons was closed for a fortnight. Now, over a year has passed and the portion still remains mired in debris. Following the collapse, access to the boundary walls of the fort has been denied. The wide wall is known as being the favourite haunt for recreation for the city dwellers and the only open space known to those living in the walled city. “In the absence of spacious houses, the greenery in the fort served as our extended playgrounds. Our children have grown up here. It is painful to see this giant structure crumbling in a state of neglect. I wish the closed portions are soon made accessible to the public,” said Varinder Kumar Sharma, a resident of Pujan Wala Mohalla. The ASI authorities at the fort said that they have sent an outlay for the repair of the collapsed wall to the Director General, ASI. A final decision could be taken only after a team visits the fort and sees the spot. Team members would include the Director, Conservation and the Regional Director. Even the historian Dr Subhash Parihar from Kotkapura feels that if not reinstated soon, the fort might lose its glory. Basically a military post, the fort bears testimony to the architectural styles of the Patiala riyasat that took it over in the 19th century. “After being the main station on the route to Multan during the pre-Mughal period, the fort suddenly lost its significance when the trade route was shifted to via Sirhind and later Lahore," he said. Raja Dab built the Fort. Rao Bhatti established the modern town of Bathinda. He captured it from the Brars In 1004 AD, Mahmud of Ghazni besieged the Fort after King Jaipal had committed suicide Mohammad Ghori took over its reins in 1189. Prithvi Raj Chauhan gained possession in 1191 Razia Sultan, the daughter of Iltutmish was imprisoned and lodged here by the Governor of Bathinda, Ikhiyar-Uddin-Mohammad Altunia In 1754 AD, Phulkia chief Ala Singh took over. The Fort remained with the rulers of Patiala till the merger of princely states Guru Gobind Singh had also visited this Fort |
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Dairy farmers oppose new law on food safety
Bathinda, August 17 Replacing the Food Adulteration Act, the new Act was implemented in Punjab from August 5 onwards. Opposing this Act, the Dodhi (Milkmen) Union Punjab has decided to put up a strong opposition and hold a series of dharnas in various parts of the state. The union will also run a campaign educating milkmen about the sampling of milk products and emphasis on the need for honesty in carrying out this business. Talking to TNS, the president of the union, Sohan Singh Bhucho Khurd said the new Act stipulates very strict terms and conditions. "It is impossible for small time milkmen and dairy farmers like us to stay afloat in this business," he said. Stating an example, Sohan Singh said that as per the new Act, anyone found guilty of adulterating milk with a substance, which may not be even harmful to human health, will be fined a whopping Rs 2 lakh. The new Act will have more stringent provisions, including penalty clauses like life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. As per rule, small-time shopkeepers dealing in eatables will have to apply for registration, while big business establishments will have to acquire licences. The Act even states that every milkman should get nutritional information about milk as well his own information printed on the drums used to store milk. Sohan Singh said that in a way, the new Act will facilitate big players in the food industry to have a firmer hold and will completely wipe off small businessmen. Meanwhile, the district health officials said that while the Punjab Government has notified the Act, it is yet to hand down instructions under the Act to the health department in respective districts. |
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Bathinda, August 17 The rice bags loaded in the bogies reportedly were damaged. The incident took place at 2.50 pm when the train was shunting at the yard. Area Traffic Manager SP Singh Bhatia said that cranes were pressed into service from Ambala to remove the derailed bogies and railway traffic on Delhi-Suratgarh track got affected. He said the exact reason behind the derailment would be ascertained only after a detailed inquiry. Railway officials said that nearly 40 feet of the railway line has been damaged in the derailment and efforts are on to fix the track. Railway officials said experts have been called to mend the railway track. — TNS |
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Row over electrocution deaths in Mansa village
Mansa, August 17 He was staying with his parents in an accommodation provided by the village panchayat. He was deployed to clean the village drains. Villagers alleged that similar incidents have taken place in the past but nothing has been done despite numerous complaints. Kala, a resident of the village said people who try to dislocate the electric wires hanging around their houses are either booked by the police on the complaint of the electricity department officials or are forced to pay heavy penalties. Tara Singh, Bhog Singh and Kuldeep Kaur are among those who got injured after receiving electric shocks in the past, he said. Villagers alleged that many cattle had died due to electric current in the past. Powercom XEN RK Goyal at Budhlada said it seemed that the reason behind the death of the boy was not electric wires. He said the boy could have fallen down accidentally. He added that the houses are built illegally under the high voltage wires and the villagers have to pay if they wish to get the wires shifted. — TNS |
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Former MP Mand injured in road mishap
Moga, August 17 Mand, a close associate of Simranjit Singh Mann, is contesting the SGPC election from Dharamkot and his associates were returning in a car from Dharamkot to Kot-ise-khan after campaigning when a truck coming from the opposite direction collided with their vehicle. The locals took the injured to a private hospital. Police registered a case against the truck driver who fled from the spot leaving behind his vehicle. The truck was taken into custody and a hunt has been launched to nab the driver. |
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Cong MLA gives MC one-week time
Abohar, August 17 He also rued that the major problems of the sub-divisional town were put before the CM during his Sangat Darshan on the Malout road here a few months back but not a single rupee had so far been released to resolve the problems. |
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UGC scheme
Abohar, August 17 Principal Dr Neelam Arun Mittu said here today that a survey was conducted in 40 villages by a team of senior lecturers including Inderjit Kaur, Shakuntla Middha and Raj Kumar Ahuja to identify the girls who wanted to pursue higher studies but could not afford it . The team shortlisted 80 girls for admissions under the UGC sponsored scheme. Their files were recommended for grants to promote higher education. Cheques worth Rs 3.86 lakh, received through the Director, Public Instructions (DPI), Punjab, have been delivered to them. — OC |
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Freedom fighter remembered
Fazilka, August 17 Krishan Lal Arora, keynote speaker, said, “Madan Lal Dhingra murdered Curzon Wylie, a British MP, who discouraged Indians at the annual function of the Indian National Association in London. Dhingra took revenge on the British MP even when his father was a leading doctor and was close to senior British officials. He was hanged on August 17, 1909 on the charge of killing the British MP.” Other speakers included Dr KK Grover, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, district president, Lila Dhar Sharma, Atma Ram Kamboj, advocate Parveen Dhanju, Ashwani Dhingra and Beopar Mandal president Ashok
Gulbadhar. |
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Man gets life term for killing wife
Bathinda, August 17 Pronouncing the judgment today, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 and ruled that in case of failure to pay the fine, the accused would have to furhter undergo a rigorous imprisonment of three years. On November 29, 2009, Manmohan Singh, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar area, had mercilessly killed his wife in a fit of rage. A drug addict, Manmohan often used to beat up his wife Amarjit Kaur who objected to his addiction. In his complaint to the police, Amarjit's father Ratti Ram stated that on November 28, 2009, he had gone to meet his daughter Amarjit, who had two daughters and a son. She was sitting in the courtyard of her house with her daughters Narinder Kaur and Maninder Kaur. At around 4 pm, Manmohan came home holding the handle of a hand pump. He hit Amarjit in the head thrice with the handle. Amarjit fell on the floor, while Ratti and Amarjit's daughters raised a hue and cry. Manmohan fled from the spot and took along the weapon used in the crime. Amarjit was first rushed to the hospital but she succumbed to her injuries. Manmohan was arrested the same day and has been lodged at Bathinda jail since then. Meanwhile, the District Legal Services Authority held three seminars at village Mehraj, Phul Town and village Dhapali. Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Bathinda, SK Aggarwal said the main aim was to spread awareness about free legal aid services, lok adalats, permanent lok adalats, monthly lok adalats and mediation centers. Bansi Lal Sachdeva and Raman Rai Khattar presided over these camps. Clerical staff of the district courts was also there to fill up the forms of the litigants on the spot. |
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Moga, August 17
The standing crop on 900 acres of land was inundated as the Sutlej water overflowed its banks in flood-prone villages in Fazilka sub-division.
Following incessant rains in the catchment areas of the dams and subsequent rise in the pond levels at both Bhakhra and Pong dams, the Drainage Department officials here are bracing for tough times ahead. As per the details, the water level downstream of Harike has gone up from 28628 cusecs to around 42000 cusecs today in the evening and is likely to go up further, if more water is released from the dams.
